Chapter 107

When building faith, there must be no interference. It’s not like I was locked in a pitch-black solitary cell in my past life for no reason.

Quality faith is required—faith so strong from an individual that it rivals the belief of an entire group. Saying one gives their all doesn’t even cover it.

It’s awkward for me to return to the Lucifer family now just to find a solitary cell. After leaving home like a runaway with only a letter, do you think they’d let me casually say, “I’d like to use a solitary cell for eighteen years,” and just agree?

After pondering over a place where no sound or light can reach and no beast can intrude easily, the answer that came to mind was a cave. The lair of Dragon King Endros was also inside a cave back in the day.

“Thud? Young demon, what’s this?”

“Oh, that? Looks kinda like a spear, right? It’s called a shovel.”

“Shovel? Who uses it?”

“Who else but you, Aru.”

“Thud thud? No way, it looks uncomfortable. I prefer daggers!”

“But you can’t dig through rocks with a dagger, can you?”

“…?”

“Come on, stop complaining and take it. Now go dig out those rocks.”

The sharp and precise Spear, Spade Ace. By widening the blade and hollowing out the center, it becomes an excellent shovel.

Shovels are commonly known as tools for digging dirt, but if they were only meant for dirt, materials like stone would’ve sufficed instead of iron.

Yeah, shovels are actually for breaking stones. How’s that possible, you ask? Well, if a dragon king does it, anything’s possible, right?

I handed the dumbfounded Aru the shovel. Though Aru reluctantly took it, their ears perked up, showing they didn’t fully understand my words.

This is when we need the Magic Staff! The great wand that performs miracles, Magic Stick! I pulled out the magic staff from my sleeve and tapped Aru’s calf.

Zzzap-!

“Gyaaah!”

“Hurry up! Run!”

“Thud! What’s wrong with you!”

Since absorbing the soul of Dragon King Endros, my power has skyrocketed. What used to feel like a soft whack is now more like a big, thick cudgel.

Even someone as overwhelmingly powerful as Aru jumps at the sight of my whip.

“Alright, Aru! Let’s go! We’re digging this cave before sunset!”

“Gyaaah! It hurts! It hurts!”

“Then move faster!”

“I got it! I got it!”

Nothing can stop Aru wielding the shovel. Like a slave hurriedly harvesting hemp under their master’s whip, Aru dug into the rocks with a loud “Pabak.”

Though a massive hole formed beneath the rocks, the rocks themselves didn’t collapse. That’s because I’m using magic to support them so they don’t fall apart carelessly.

But I can’t keep using magic forever. So I called Meta.

“Meta! Summon the undead army!”

“Yes, yes! But why the undead army?”

“To help Aru dig the cave! Anyway, since we won’t be needing them for a while, consider this a chance to drain some mana and summon them!”

Guruguru-.

Undead exist for moments like these. I sent Meta’s undead crew to the mountain of rocks Aru was digging into. They reinforced the cave by setting up joints and small supports to prevent collapses.

With the dragon king working diligently, the excavation speed is incredibly fast. Add the additional work from the undead, and a cave that seemed to have existed for thousands of years was completed in no time.

“All done! Thud thud thud!”

“Great job! As expected from Aru! You did such a wonderful job! If you continue doing great work like this, it’d be amazing!”

“…? Is that good?”

“Of course it’s good! It means I love you that much, Aru!”

“Thud thud! Liar! Not falling for it anymore!”

“…How did you know? Did your intelligence improve already? Your head seems bigger too.”

Though Aru seemed somewhat dissatisfied with me for assigning such tough tasks, dogs are still dogs. A little pat on the head should fix it.

Swoosh-.

“Krrr…!”

Hmm, it didn’t work. But I, the cunning joker, always have a second plan ready.

“Alright! Since you worked hard, I’ll give you some meat!”

“Thud! I love meat!”

I’m glad I brought along a sack full of deer hindquarters. Admiring my own foresight, I watched silently as Aru buried their face in the meat and devoured it.

“Master Oscar, why did you suddenly make this cave?”

“We’re going to enter it.”

“Inside? Why?”

“…I’ll tell you after we go in. For now, let’s just go inside.”

As I answered, I moved forward. Aru, who hadn’t finished eating yet, was shocked.

“Cu, cuh? Wait for me!”

“If you don’t follow, I’ll leave without you.”

“Thud thud! Wait for me!”

Holding Meta’s hand, I walked into the cave without hesitation. Aru followed on all fours, holding a piece of deer meat in their mouth.

Just as we passed the entrance, I tapped the cave wall with the magic staff.

Gurung-!

With a thunderous roar, the cave entrance collapsed. The way out—and the way in—was sealed.

“What, what are you doing?! Thud thud!”

“Oh, Master Oscar? Why did you suddenly block the entrance…!”

Arui and Meta couldn’t comprehend my sudden rash actions. Shrugging nonchalantly, I moved further into the cave.

Despite being shocked, they still trusted me absolutely and timidly followed. I led them deeper into the cave.

Our footsteps echoed. How long had we walked? We reached what seemed to be the end of the cave. There was a spacious area large enough to house a house, with a small pond filled with spring water. Droplets of dew fell from between the rocks, casting a faint blue glow.

We’ve found a place like this. I threw the sack I was holding to Aru, who was still barking loudly. A sack made from Arachne’s silk threads, capable of storing vast amounts of space.

Dobsek-!

Somehow, despite having deer meat in their mouth, Aru managed to catch the sack. Aru looked at me with a questioning gaze. I spoke softly.

“Arui, I’m about to assign you an important task. Can you handle it?”

“Thud? An important task?”

“Yeah, super-duper important. Only Aru can do it.”

“What is it?”

“It’s… well…”

I reached into the sack Aru held and pulled out a chest. A small chest, barely large enough to fit a child.

Holding the chest in my left hand, I raised my right above the cave floor. Purple magical energy swirled in my palm.

Wooong-.

“You’re going to guard Meta and me. Not even a mouse will pass through. Can you do that?”

I altered the structure of the ground, pushing useless rocks upward. Pillars of rock emerged, interlocking with each other.

A small sealed chamber was created. A perfect stone chamber without windows—my sanctuary.

“Guard? Me?”

“It’s important. Super important.”

“Thud… You never ask for my opinion…”

“So I’m asking you now. Your thoughts matter most. Aru, can you do it?”

“…What exactly do I have to do?”

Pointing at the stone chamber and the chest with my finger, I explained clearly.

“For quite a while, I’ll be in that stone chamber, and Meta will be in that chest.”

“Eh? In that chest?”

“How long?”

“Not too long. About… 18 years. During that time, I want Aru to eat the food in the sack and protect us. Neither Meta nor I can come out.”

“18 years? Why suddenly…?”

The reaction was more intense from Meta than Aru. Being trapped in such a narrow chest for 18 years would surely be shocking and suffocating.

But there’s no other way. Just like me, Meta needs to be in a place requiring high concentration to fully receive faith.

I’ve been preparing Meta for this moment. I’ve accumulated significant energy within his body so he can survive without food, and trained him daily in meditation to strengthen his spirit.

“Meta, do you remember when we first met?”

“Yes… I remember.”

“At that time, Meta asked if he could break free from this cursed bell. Could he transcend beyond a goblin? I promised I would make it happen. Now, it’s time to fulfill that promise.”

“There aren’t many monsters that could beat Meta now. Unless it’s something like a dragon from the sky or another dimensional monster like a king beast. Even among goblin shamans, Meta is exceptionally strong. But…”

“But?”

“Meta’s dream isn’t confined to being a goblin, is it? You need to rise above that.”

Meta’s green eyes sparkled like jewels.

“It’ll be a long and difficult journey. But if you endure, a completely different world will open up before you. I guarantee it.”

“What do I have to do?”

“It’s simple. Meditate inside the chest, and slowly, a white, wriggling thread-like substance will seep into you. Accept it calmly for 18 years. Above all, never emit any energy.”

If you accidentally release it and the gods notice, it might trigger a situation similar to your past life before you’ve fully become a god.

Though there’s no real need to mention that.

“Yes! I’ll keep that in mind! I can do it!”

“Good. As expected, Meta is reliable.”

“Thud, but why aren’t other humans coming? It’d be nice to be together.”

“Arui, have you ever seen me do meaningless things? We’ll meet them again someday. It’ll just take some time. Our Aru is a good wolf, so you can wait, right?”

“Yeeeh… I don’t get it.”

Answering Aru’s question kindly, I placed the unsuspecting Meta inside the chest and locked its entrance. Click, sealed with an iron lock.

“One last question.”

“What is it?”

“Can’t I see young demons’ faces for the next 18 years? If I sleep for ten nights, I could see other humans, right?”

“So Aru shouldn’t sleep then. If someone sneaks in while you’re asleep and messes with my stone chamber, I’ll get extremely angry.”

“Keeeey… That’s fine. I don’t need sleep anyway. But…”

Aru hesitated, dragging out their words, unsure of what to say.

“I don’t want to not see young demons’ faces for such a long time…”

Aru stared directly at my face—or rather, the mask covering it.

The wolf girl’s expression was slightly sorrowful. Her wolf ears drooped halfway, looking somewhat deflated.

“Tch, it’s not a big deal.”

“Keeeyyy, ngh…”

“Now, look your fill.”

Swish-.

I removed the white mask I was wearing, revealing my face for the first time in a while. Although we were deep in the cave, it wasn’t particularly bright.

Aru’s blue eyes widened. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks. She scrutinized every detail of my face.

“Young demon… you’re surprising.”

“How long are you going to keep calling me a young demon? I’m almost 500 years old.”

“But the young demon’s face always looks young. Exactly the same as when I first met you…”

Aru rubbed her face against mine. Despite her cleverness, she seemed to instinctively sense the impending loneliness of the next few years. Her fluffy hair tickled my chin.

“Aru, take good care of the house.”

“Thud.”

“Eat well. Drink water from the nearby pond casually.”

“Thud.”

“I’ll see you later.”

I was about to stroke Aru’s head, thinking it might be too cliché, but decided against it. Instead, I kissed her smooth forehead.

Chop-.

“…”

“See you later.”

Since Aru will stay awake for 18 years waiting for me, I thought this much was the least I could do. Aru’s face heated up like a boiling pot. Her blue eyes shone brilliantly like sapphires.

Without hesitation, I entered the stone chamber. Then I summoned more magic and sealed the entrance with rocks.

Complete darkness enveloped me.

***

Oscar had vanished, leaving behind a letter that left Beatrice, Yohan, and Uriel puzzled.

Beatrice massaged her temples as a headache set in.

“Well, the family situation aside… becoming a teacher at Eden Academy? What does this even mean?”

“Hmm, the leader must have some reasoning, though I cannot fathom it this time.”

“Demons, they’re always strange, but this is stranger than usual.”

They wondered about Oscar’s sudden disappearance. However, as always with Oscar, adding one more mystery to the countless others didn’t change much.

“Should we search for our lord?”

“He said not to.”

“Should we just sit here and listen to him? Should we establish a fake family and go to this Eden Academy as a teacher?”

“Is there another option? If the leader says so, then that’s what we must do.”

“What do you think, Yohan?”

The brown ponytailed knight, Beatrice, turned her question to the towering man, who replied nonchalantly.

“I trust the companion. That’s what companions do.”

“What do you mean?”

“Fake family? Don’t know how to build it, but we’ll build it. And Eden? Academy? We’ll go. Become teachers.”

“But Yohan can’t really speak properly… maybe physical education teacher might work…”

“Nothing. Still, we need to study to become teachers. If Yohan takes physical education, I’ll handle other subjects.”

“But Beatrice, is following the leader’s orders blindly really correct?”

“The duty of a knight is to follow their lord. Trusting the lord is the right path, and I don’t wish to be a knight who breaks faith.”

Yohan’s few words solidified Beatrice’s resolve as she spoke firmly. Uriel stared at her intently.

“And when has following our lord ever been disadvantageous?”

“Hmm?”

“Embarrassing to say, but I became a dragonslayer swordsman. Yohan gained a worthy companion, and Uriel grew from a baby angel to a seasoned one. We’ve faced injuries and trials, but we’ve never suffered permanent damage or setbacks.”

“…”

“Even if the order seems incomprehensible, I choose to follow the lord’s instructions.”

“Knight’s words are true! Companions must trust each other!”

Reinforced by Yohan’s determination, Beatrice’s conviction strengthened. Uriel, observing the loyal knight and companion critically, lightly clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, foolish… or is the leader truly remarkable?”

“Are you speaking of our lord?”

“You guys react exactly as he predicted. He’s always scheming, isn’t he…”

“The lord may be ancient, but his appearance remains youthful, so calling him a ‘bottomless pit’ feels a bit off.”

“Did you just say that?”

“Previously? I mentioned the bottomless pit comment was uncomfortable.”

“No no, before that. What did you say earlier?”

“Even though the lord is advanced in age, his appearance remains youthful. Is there a problem with that?”

“Youthful? Him? Are you serious?”

Uriel’s voice trembled.

“Strange talk indeed. How can he be called youthful? His face is wrinkled and spotted with age spots. He looks like he could die anytime.”

“What are you talking about? Are you teasing me now? Uriel, where are the wrinkles on the lord’s face?”

“…? Aren’t you the one teasing? It’s a face so aged and decrepit it could pass away at any moment. What are you saying, Beatrice?”

“Yohan, say something. Uriel is saying strange things.”

Beatrice shifted the burden to Yohan, who tilted his head sideways.

“What nonsense are you both spouting?”

“Yohan…?”

“The demon’s face does have a few wrinkles, but not many. Actually, the demon has a lot of facial hair. It’s rough and scratchy. The demon is an uncle, neither an old man nor a youth.”

“Eh…?”

“…What?”

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